UK Tile Giant Fired Earth collapses into administration—133 jobs lost as retail chain Shuts Down
In a major setback for the British interiors and home improvement sector, Fired Earth, one of the UK’s most recognized tiling and design brands, has officially entered administration. The collapse marks the end of an era for a company that once stood as a benchmark for elegance and craftsmanship in tile and interior design.
The announcement, made on October 31, 2025, confirmed that 133 employees have been made redundant as the business shutters its network of retail showrooms across the UK. The company’s head office and warehouse in Banbury will remain operational temporarily to handle outstanding customer orders, after which operations are expected to cease completely.
Dane O’Hara and Neil Bennett of Leonard Curtis have been appointed as joint administrators to oversee the process. They confirmed that efforts are currently underway to sell the business’s assets to an undisclosed third party, although no offers have yet included the retention of Fired Earth’s staff.
Founded in Oxfordshire in 1983, Fired Earth built a legacy of quality craftsmanship, offering sophisticated tiling collections before expanding into complementary product lines such as luxury paint, rugs, and interior finishes. The brand became a household name for homeowners seeking premium décor solutions, with a loyal clientele that extended beyond the UK.
Despite its strong reputation, the company’s financial performance has been under pressure in recent years. Its most recent accounts showed a turnover of nearly £15 million but also revealed a £1.6 million loss in 2024, following a similar shortfall the previous year. Analysts suggest that rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and shrinking consumer spending power all contributed to its downfall.
Administrator Dane O’Hara noted that Fired Earth had been operating at a loss for an extended period. “For three years, the company relied on significant shareholder loans to sustain operations,” he said. “However, continued trading losses and the lack of a viable recovery strategy left investors unwilling to provide further financial support.”
The company operated 20 UK showrooms, in cities such as Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Cheltenham, and Nottingham, alongside two international outlets in Denmark and Norway. With no sustainable restructuring plan in sight, administrators confirmed that all stores would close, signaling a full-scale wind-down.
Fired Earth’s downfall reflects a wider struggle within the UK’s home improvement and tiling industry. In 2024, rival chain CTD Tiles also fell into administration before its brand and several stores were acquired by Topps Tiles. Likewise, Johnson Tiles announced the closure of its production plant in Staffordshire, opting instead to outsource manufacturing due to high operational costs.
While Fired Earth’s name may yet find a second life if its assets are acquired, its workforce faces an uncertain future—a sobering reminder of the challenges confronting Britain’s retail and manufacturing landscape.
FAQ Section
Q1: Why did Fired Earth go into administration?
Fired Earth suffered consistent financial losses over several years due to falling demand, high operating costs, and supply chain challenges, ultimately leading investors to withdraw support.
Q2: How many employees were affected by the closure?
A total of 133 employees have been made redundant across Fired Earth’s stores and operations.
Q3: Will Fired Earth’s products still be available?
The company’s Banbury warehouse will remain open temporarily to fulfill existing customer orders, but future product availability depends on the outcome of the asset sale.
Q4: Who are the administrators handling the case?
The administration process is being managed by Dane O’Hara and Neil Bennett of Leonard Curtis.
Q5: What does this mean for the UK tile industry?
The closure highlights ongoing instability within the UK’s interiors sector, following similar collapses of CTD Tiles and restructuring at Johnson Tiles.
